The World’s Richest Race and so much more!

Wanted to make this one quick and easy - we’ve got plenty of great racing this weekend and a few other highlights… thanks for reading!

$20 Million on the Line

The Saudi Cup 2024, held at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, promises to be the most lucrative horse race globally, boasting a staggering $20 million purse. This prestigious event, occurring between the Pegasus World Cup and the Dubai World Cup, signifies Saudi Arabia's burgeoning presence in the equestrian world. Notably, the race has been upgraded to Group 1 status, attracting top-tier talent and global attention. Beyond horse racing, Saudi Arabia's sporting landscape has been rapidly evolving, with significant investments in football, golf, and snooker, drawing in renowned athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. The Saudi Cup weekend, set to commence with an eight-race opening day followed by the main event, reflects the nation's commitment to becoming a major player on the international sports stage while also serving as a prominent social affair in the Saudi capital.

Let’s not mention that other stuff that may or may not be associated with the country, we want this newsletter to continue onwards.

2k Wins for McPeek

Trainer Kenny McPeek achieved a significant milestone on Feb. 21 at Turfway Park by securing his 2,000th career victory. This milestone was reached when the 3-year-old first-time starter, Winnable, a filly bred by Stoneleigh Farm and sired by Justify, triumphed by 3 1/2 lengths under jockey Colby Hernandez. Despite being a 14-1 longshot in a competitive field of nine, Winnable showcased her potential on the track's synthetic surface, winning a $70,000 maiden race over a mile. Notably, Winnable is the offspring of Mischievousmaximus, a daughter of Curlin, a renowned $10.5-million earner, and leading sire, originally purchased by McPeek for $57,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Good job, Kenny!

Itching for a Horse Racing Video Game?

Pocket Card Jockey, a beloved game originally released on 3DS in 2016 and remastered for Apple Arcade in 2023, has returned to Nintendo platforms with its debut on the Switch. In this unique game, players engage in rounds of solitaire to propel their horse forward, manage their stable, upgrade horse stats, and even breed new generations of racers. Praised for its humor and addictive gameplay, the remastered version boasts updated visuals and additional strategic elements, available for $15 on the Nintendo eShop.

NYRA is Studying the Impact of Various Surfaces on Horse Racing

The New York Racing Association is spearheading a study to evaluate the impact of various surfaces on equine injuries and fatalities.

The formation of the all-weather-surfaces committee announced Wednesday comes after spates of horse deaths around the U.S. last year led to questions, criticism, and safety reviews on the causes. The gathering of industry leaders came at the request of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the federally mandated agency that began overseeing the sport in 2022.

Read the full article here.

Horse Spotted on Video Galloping on I-95

One driver had an unusual sight on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia early Tuesday morning after spotting a horse galloping down the highway. Action News viewer Angelo Palmer shot video as he drove alongside the horse running free on I-95 northbound near the Girard Avenue exit.

We didn’t have money on this one but the good news is - the horse made it out ok.

Rebel Stakes is on Saturday at Oaklawn!

The 1 1/16-mile Rebel is the third of four prep races for the Kentucky Derby held at Oaklawn and offers, along with a hefty $1.25 million purse, a total of 105 qualifying points for the May 4 Derby distributed to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale.

The 2024 Rebel shapes up as a great betting race with 13 horses entered, all but one of them coming into the race off of preps at Oaklawn. The exception is morning-line favorite Timberlake, a Grade 1 winner last fall who will be making his 3-year-old debut in the Rebel after a 3 ½-month break. Several Rebel starters will very likely use this race as a tune-up for one final Kentucky Derby prep at Oaklawn, the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on March 30.

We’re sure you’re all asking, who is GiddyUp Digest’s Best Bet in the Rebel? Sure, Timberlake is a deserving favorite but, we are on Carbone - we think you can forgive the last out in the slop and should make a move forward in its 4th start.